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Things to Do in Aleppo: citadel tips and photos posted by real travelers and Aleppo locals.
citadel
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citadel: The Citadel.
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  • Updated By albateh on August 28, 2003
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  • citadel - Aleppo
    by albateh
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    Abraham is said to have camped on this hill and milked his red cow there on his journey from URA to Hauran. But from even earlier the remains of more ancient civilizations have raised the level of this acropolis beneath which so many bloody events have taken place. Fifty meters above the city a ring of crenellated walls and towers rises from a steep glacis, encircling a mass of ruins of every period.

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    citadel: The Tower
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  • Updated By albateh on August 28, 2003
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  • citadel - Aleppo
    by albateh
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    On the north and south sides' great moat, some 20 meters deep and 30meters wide emphasize the proud isolation of the whole fortress. This impression has been rather spoiled by the planting of a clump of trees right in front of the entrance gate. A steeply rising bridge, supported by slender arches, leads across the moat from an entrance tower on the lower side to the great and forbidding entrance fortifications above. These are both austerely beautiful and full of ingenious defensive devices which strike even a 20th-century visitor as sophisticated. Five great iron-plated doors - each set at a corner of the passageway - could be closed to trap invaders under a hail of arrows, fire and boiling oil (used in these parts since ancient times) from the lookout places, arrow-slits and machicolations above.

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    citadel: Visit Aleppo Citadel
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  • Updated By fouads on August 12, 2003
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  • citadel - Aleppo
    by fouads
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    Aleppo Citadel , it,s from the important and famous things here because it,s so old and so big about 1km diemeter . in the past Aleppo people use it before at the war when is some army came so they inter all in it and it,s include every thing need it ,

  • Address: Center of Aleppo
  • Other Contact: teusday is holiday

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    citadel: The Citadel of Aleppo
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  • Updated By MM212 on May 1, 2008
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  • The Citadel at Sunset (Dec 2006) - Aleppo
    The Citadel at Sunset (Dec
    2006)
    by MM212, 4 more photos
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    Dominating the whole of Aleppo, the Citadel is one of the most important historic monuments of the old city and one of the middle east's most impressive medieval fortresses. It was also worthy of being listed, along with the Old City of Aleppo, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The natural hill on which it was built rises from the ground like a volcano, and is known to have been inhabited since at least the 16th century BC and probably even earlier, and to have been the site of the Graeco-Roman Acropolis. However, the citadel, as we see it today, was largely constructed in the 12th century AD on the rubble of previous civilisations, from Hittite and Seleucid/Greek to Roman and Byzantine. Several additions to the citadel were made later, most notably the 16th century AD Mamluke palace built over the imposing entrance. A visit to Aleppo is incomplete without a stop at the Citadel, which offers excellent panoramic views over the old city.

  • Address: Sharia Hawl al-Qalaa (Citadel Circular Road)

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    citadel: Gateway & Mamluke Palace
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  • Updated By MM212 on October 16, 2007
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  • Ayyubid upper gate & Mamluke Palace (Dec 06) - Aleppo
    Ayyubid upper gate & Mamluke
    Palace (Dec 06)
    by MM212, 4 more photos
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    During the Ayyubid period, under the reign of Saladdin's son al-Zaher Ghazi in the 12th century, a tremendous amount of construction occurred within the citadel that turned it into a city within a city. Of the most prominent works were the two imposing gateways and the six arches that support the ramped bridge connecting them. In the 15th century, the Mamluke governor, Seif el-Din Jakam, built the Mamluke palace over the upper gateway, adding to its immensity. The façade of the palace is exquisitely decorated with subtle Mamluke-period motifs and muqarna carvings. A museum is housed within this palace. The monumental gates and the palace on top are perhaps the most incredible structure in the Citadel.

  • Address: The Citadel

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    citadel: Citadel Bridge & Moat
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  • Updated By MM212 on July 30, 2007
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  • Causeway's six arches (Dec 2006) - Aleppo
    Causeway's six arches (Dec
    2006)
    by MM212, 2 more photos
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    One of the most striking features of the Citadel is the ramped bridge and the six tall arches supporting it. The bridge leads to the upper tower gate and crosses over the moat which surrounds the hill. The man-made moat was once filled with water and was designed to enhance the Citadel's defence system. Both the bridge and the moat date from the 12th century, during the Ayyubid period of rule.

  • Address: The Citadel

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    citadel: The high and mighty Citadel
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  • By Tijavi on December 14, 2007
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  • The magnificent entrance - Aleppo
    The magnificent entrance
    by Tijavi, 4 more photos
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    The Citadel is perhaps Aleppo's best known historical attraction - and for good reason. It stands high and mighty on the eastern end of the old city area keeping watch over the city. Standing on a strategic, natural mound, it is as historic as Aleppo itself. It is believed that the mound was a place of worship before it became a fortification with a more military function. The Seleucids are thought to have built the first defensive structures in around 300 BC. But much of what could be seen today were built during the Mamluk rule (1250-1517 AD). The Citadel played an important role during the time of the Crusades serving as power base for the Muslims. Allot at least one hour for exploration. Some of the more interesting features of the Citadel are the stepped bridge entrance, the steel plated doors, the cistern and underground prison, the remains of an Ayyubid Palace with its colorful entrance, and a 13th century grand mosque which has been restored. Around this grand mosque is a cafe where you could hang out for a while and soak in the great views. Not surprisingly, the Citadel is one of the most strategic places in Aleppo to take aerial photos of this historical city. During my visit in early December 2007, the area surrounding the Citadel is being dolled up for tourists and cafés have sprung up and are doing brisk business. It's a great place to chill out after a tour of the Citadel and the souq area.

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  • Directions: On the eastern side of the old city, near the souq area.

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    citadel: The Citadel
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  • Updated By iwys on November 6, 2007
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  • citadel - Aleppo
    by iwys, 4 more photos
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    Aleppo's citadel is the biggest in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands atop an imposing hill just to the east of the old city and commands spectacular views over all of Aleppo. This site has been important for at least 3,000 years. The first major structure built here was a temple dating back to the 10th century BC. The first fortifications were erected by the Seleucids around 350 BC. The citadel was a mliitary headquarters for the Muslims during the 12th century in their wars with the Crusaders, and its defenses were strengthened during this period with a moat and with stone cladding on the lower slopes of the hill. Further fortifications were added by the Mamluks from the 13th to 16th centuries. The citadel was only successfully stormed once in its history, by Tamerlane's Mongol army in 1400. Today the massive walls encircling the citadel present an imposing sight as you crane your neck to look up at them. You enter the citadel across an entrance bridge over the now dry moat. You then climb a passageway through a monumental gateway. Inside the citadel there are numerous buildings, including a palace, two mosques and an amphitheatre. Opening hours: winter 9am-4pm, summer 9am-6pm. Closed Tuesdays. Admission: S£150.

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    citadel: Citadel
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  • Updated By Claire78 on November 10, 2004
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  • citadel - Aleppo
    by Claire78
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    Do visit the citadel - but bring a student card as that brings the price down from 300Sp to 15SP! Then have a queit drink in the shade before going to the nearby hammam....

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    citadel: The Great Mosque of the Citadel
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  • Updated By MM212 on July 25, 2007
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  • Carved calligraphy on the walls of the mosque - Aleppo
    Carved calligraphy on the
    walls of the mosque
    by MM212, 4 more photos
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    Built in 1214 by the Ayyubid ruler, al-Ghazi, the Great Mosque of the Citadel was strategically positioned at the point of highest elevation on the Citadel hill. The 21 metre minaret thus added to the height and had the dual use of minaret to call for prayers and observation tower to detect invasions in advance. The structure is no longer used as a mosque, but has preserved its simple medieval design and layout.

  • Address: Inside the Citadel

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